Ferry services suspended in Gujarat due to the cyclone

The Roll on Roll off service between South Gujarat and Surashtra inagurated
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been suspended for the time being following
the cyclone Ochkhi approaching the Gujarat coast on December fifth.

The decision to this effect was announced by the Gujarat Maritime Board which
is operating the ferry service to transport passengers

Noticing the cyclonic movement towards Gujarat coast, as a safeguard
measure, and for the safety of passengers travelling between Gogha and Dahej,
the Gujarat Maritime Board has advised Indigo Seaways, the ferry operators, to
suspend the ferry operations with immediate effect.

The situation will be reviewed shortly and if the conditions are found
favourable, the services would be resumed from December 6th.

Cyclonic storm Ockhi storm laid centered over east central and adjoining
southeast Arabian Sea and moved further north-northwestwards with a speed of 18
kmph. It is expected to cross South Gujarat near Surat as a deep depression by
midnight of 5th December 2017.

Meanwhile, the administration has put two National Disaster Relief Force
teams stationed each at Surat, Navsari and Rajkot. Also, the military forces,
including the Army, Navy, IAF, BSF, have been alerted in Gujarat. The
government has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea. Moderate to heavy
rainfall is also predicted.

The
first phase of the Gogha-Dahej Ro-Ro ferry service launched on October 22, ,
connects South Gujarat and Saurashtra, reducing the travel time from nine hours
to one hour. To facilitate the service, two passenger terminals have been
constructed, one at Dahej near Surat and second at Gogha near Bhavnagar.